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Porphyria in herring gulls: A biochemical response to chemical contamination of great lakes food chains
Author(s) -
Fox Glen A.,
Norstrom Ross J.,
Wigfield Donald C.,
Kennedy Sean W.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.5620071005
Subject(s) - herring , larus , bay , herring gull , food chain , contamination , fishery , biology , ecology , zoology , fish <actinopterygii> , geography , archaeology
Concentrations of highly carboxylated porphyrins (HCPs) in the livers of adult herring gulls ( Larus argentatus ) from colonies throughout the Great Lakes were found to be markedly elevated in comparison with those in gulls from coastal areas and in seven other species of birds consuming diets uncontaminated with polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs). The highes levels were found in gulls from lower Green Bay (Lake Michigan), Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron) ant Lake Ontario. We suggest that the high levels of HCPs reflect PHAH‐induced derangement of heme biosynthesis. Determination of HCPs offers promise as a specific and sensitive biological marker of PHAH‐induced toxicity and as a measure of the toxicological significance of the chemical burden in gulls, terminal members of Great Lakes food chains.